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The XFL RE-Revival Not an Outlandish Possibility

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
I, for one would welcome this.

****************************************************************************************************************

“Dozens of bidders” exploring a potential XFL purchase
May 26, 2020, 6:58 PM EDT

Vince McMahon won’t be trying to buy back the XFL. But someone else apparently will.

Daniel Kaplan of TheAthletic.com reports that “dozens of bidders” are reviewing the league’s financial information, with interest in buying the XFL and relaunching it next February.

McMahon himself will not be a bidder; he confirmed this during deposition testimony given last week.

“I don’t know why that’s out there, making me out to be the bad guy, [that] I’m going to buy the XFL back for pennies on the dollar, basically,” McMahon said, via Kaplan. “That helped me move into the direction of I’m not going to be a bidder, not going to have anything to do with it. I do hope that someone will pay a lot of money for it, and I do hope that it will survive.”

In a court filing, McMahon created the impression that this will indeed happen.

“Based on preliminary feedback, there is a robust market for the [XFL]’s assets, including a number of potentially interested private equity firms and other strategic and financial sponsors,” McMahon said, via his lawyers.

With a growing thirst for live sports and the possibility that legalized sports wagering will explode in the aftermath of the pandemic, the XFL could indeed survive — and perhaps thrive.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
Someday we'll past past cv-19, and someday someone will be starting up another spring football league. Both are inevitable.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
WHAT CITIES ARE IN PLAY IF THE XFL RETURNS?
STEPHAN RACHUKMAY 27, 2020NEWS


Last week, news started circling the internet that the XFL may be returning… and Vince McMahon may be the buyer…. It’s hard to say if that is the case or not, but since those rumors started we’ve learned some more information that points to the possibility that the league may be preparing to return with or without Vince.
If the XFL is indeed set to return, what cities are in play? Here’s what we’ve learned so far.
The Dome - St. Louis BattleHawks
St. Louis – The Dome at America’s Center

Naturally, St. Louis would be in play if the league was to return. Since the host cities were announced for the XFL, St. Louis has been a fan favorite due to the fact that they were the only XFL city without an NFL franchise.

The BattleHawks led the league in attendance and were on pace to sell 50,000+ seats to their week seven match-up against the Los Angeles Wildcats before the league was forced to suspend the season. According to Danial Kaplan of The Athletic, XFL representatives reached out to the city of St. Louis about restarting their lease agreement with The Dome at America’s Center.
CenturyLink Stadium - Seattle Dragons
Seattle – CenturyLink Field

In the same report Kaplan states that league representatives also reached out to the restart the lease agreement with CentrutyLink Field in Seattle. This makes sense because The Dragons were a not-to-distant second in attendance behind the BattleHawks.
The Seattle Dragons drew a very impressive 29,172 fans for their first game at CenturyLink. Even with a not-so-stellar record, The Dragons still pulled in over 22,000 fans for their lose against the Dallas Renegades. The city of Seattle had embraced this team from the very start. The franchise drew over 1,000 fans to a free practice event prior to kickoff. If the XFL is coming back, they’d love to have this fan-base behind them.


TDECU Stadium - Houston Roughnecks
Houston – TDECU Stadium

Those aren’t the only two cities that have been contacted by XFL representatives. According to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston, the University of Houston has been contacted by the league to see if the TDECU Stadium rental and practice agreements could be used as assets if the XFL is acquired through the bankruptcy proceedings.
This is another city that makes sense, The Houston Roughnecks went undefeated in the shortened season holding a 5-0 record. Since the beginning, the XFL seemed to have a close relationship with the city of Houston. The league and mayor worked close to strike a deal to make Houston the central home of the XFL training camp/pre-season. Additionally, TDECU Stadium was set to be home of the inaugural XFL Championship.



At the moment, those are the only three cities that have been confirmed to receive contact from the XFL. That leaves five more if the league was to come back. Let’s look at some other potential locations that the league may think about re-locating some of the franchises.
Alamo Dome

San Antonio – The Alamo Dome


THE REST OF THE STORY
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
WHAT CITIES ARE IN PLAY IF THE XFL RETURNS?
STEPHAN RACHUKMAY 27, 2020NEWS


Last week, news started circling the internet that the XFL may be returning… and Vince McMahon may be the buyer…. It’s hard to say if that is the case or not, but since those rumors started we’ve learned some more information that points to the possibility that the league may be preparing to return with or without Vince.
If the XFL is indeed set to return, what cities are in play? Here’s what we’ve learned so far.
The Dome - St. Louis BattleHawks
St. Louis – The Dome at America’s Center

Naturally, St. Louis would be in play if the league was to return. Since the host cities were announced for the XFL, St. Louis has been a fan favorite due to the fact that they were the only XFL city without an NFL franchise.

The BattleHawks led the league in attendance and were on pace to sell 50,000+ seats to their week seven match-up against the Los Angeles Wildcats before the league was forced to suspend the season. According to Danial Kaplan of The Athletic, XFL representatives reached out to the city of St. Louis about restarting their lease agreement with The Dome at America’s Center.
CenturyLink Stadium - Seattle Dragons
Seattle – CenturyLink Field

In the same report Kaplan states that league representatives also reached out to the restart the lease agreement with CentrutyLink Field in Seattle. This makes sense because The Dragons were a not-to-distant second in attendance behind the BattleHawks.
The Seattle Dragons drew a very impressive 29,172 fans for their first game at CenturyLink. Even with a not-so-stellar record, The Dragons still pulled in over 22,000 fans for their lose against the Dallas Renegades. The city of Seattle had embraced this team from the very start. The franchise drew over 1,000 fans to a free practice event prior to kickoff. If the XFL is coming back, they’d love to have this fan-base behind them.


TDECU Stadium - Houston Roughnecks
Houston – TDECU Stadium

Those aren’t the only two cities that have been contacted by XFL representatives. According to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston, the University of Houston has been contacted by the league to see if the TDECU Stadium rental and practice agreements could be used as assets if the XFL is acquired through the bankruptcy proceedings.
This is another city that makes sense, The Houston Roughnecks went undefeated in the shortened season holding a 5-0 record. Since the beginning, the XFL seemed to have a close relationship with the city of Houston. The league and mayor worked close to strike a deal to make Houston the central home of the XFL training camp/pre-season. Additionally, TDECU Stadium was set to be home of the inaugural XFL Championship.



At the moment, those are the only three cities that have been confirmed to receive contact from the XFL. That leaves five more if the league was to come back. Let’s look at some other potential locations that the league may think about re-locating some of the franchises.
Alamo Dome

San Antonio – The Alamo Dome


THE REST OF THE STORY
San Antonio is a great spot and the Alamo Dome would go into use once again. They could cover up those corner seats until they absolutely needed them.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
I was very impressed with what occurred with this league. Would not be shocked if Luck returned under different ownership and expect settlement between him and McMahon. Would there be a role for his son? I also think there will be several NFL QBs available. Anyone think Mark Cuban and Tilmon Fertito interested?
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
I was very impressed with what occurred with this league. Would not be shocked if Luck returned under different ownership and expect settlement between him and McMahon. Would there be a role for his son? I also think there will be several NFL QBs available. Anyone think Mark Cuban and Tilmon Fertito interested?
You can probably rule out Fertitta.............between his NBA losses during COVID-19 and his admitted $1 million per day losses since Feb...........don't think he'd be too excited to put up a huge chunk of upfront money, especially into a venture that has historically not been successful (not to say that this time it couldn't be).
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
You can probably rule out Fertitta.............between his NBA losses during COVID-19 and his admitted $1 million per day losses since Feb...........don't think he'd be too excited to put up a huge chunk of upfront money, especially into a venture that has historically not been successful (not to say that this time it couldn't be).
Yeah I agree and he has absorbed enormous losses I would imagine. Still Forbes has him worth $5 billion as of today. More reasonably reality news report has him down to $3.2 B after a two B. loss. Info based on Bloomberg News:
HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Houston restaurant and casino magnate Tilman Fertitta, has lost about a third of his wealth, or approximately $2 billion, in the last month due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to Bloomberg News.
Feritta, who had a net worth of more than $5 billion last month, has dropped off the rankings of the 500 wealthiest people in the world, said Bloomberg, which pegged Fertitta as a $3.2 billion-man today.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Yeah I agree and he has absorbed enormous losses I would imagine. Still Forbes has him worth $5 billion as of today. More reasonably reality news report has him down to $3.2 B after a two B. loss. Info based on Bloomberg News:
And his Rockets make up ~$2.5 billion of his remaining $3.2 billion.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
The article closes with the comment that when you look at XFL's books, you see how expensive it is to run a professional sports league.

********************************************************************

XFL NEWS
XFL Made Almost 20 Million In Revenue For 2020 Season Before Stoppage
by June 2, 2020
Mark Perry
https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-made-20-million-revenue-2020-season/#
XFL News Hub got a copy of the latest XFL court filings. It was revealed how much exactly the start-up league made in 2020, 2019 and 2018. Along with other interesting financial numbers. We break down all the interesting data below.

XFL Made
  • $23,177.73 in 2018
  • $738,772.90 in 2019
  • $19,785,974.39 in 2020 from 1/2020 to 4/2020
The XFL Has
  • $28,855,733.77 in assets
  • $31,411,772.97 in liabilities
We also learned based on the court filings that XFL CEO and Commissioner Oliver Luck was making $192,307.70 every two weeks. XFL President Jeffery Pollock was making $50,005.65 every two weeks.

The league has $1,169,191.15 worth of merchandise in the XFL Shop.

There were lots of payments to World Wrestling Entertainment Inc for ‘SHARED SERVICES SUPPORT”. In the end, it does look like the XFL used services from the WWE. Those transactions totaled over 3 million dollars.

There was a lawsuit filed by a firefighters’ pension fund in Oklahoma, a stockholder in the WWE. They wanted to get documents that would help determine the WWE’s exact connections to the XFL.

Apparently the former President of the XFL in 2001, Basil Devito, was involved with the new version of the XFL. His title was Executive Director Of Operations for Alpha Entertainment.

Luck was terminated on April 9, 2020, but on April 10th he was paid $251,500.01 which was above his normal $192,307.70.

In early January Vince McMahon pulled $1,200,000.00 out of the XFL. I assume it is tho pay himself back for some of the money he put in.

There were 376 different Workman’s compensation claims for various player injuries throughout training camp and into the season. Oliver Luck had mentioned in various interviews about the complexity of Workman’s compensation in a professional football league.

The XFL gave almost $10,000 to charity through its version 2.0 league.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Looks like the XFL picked the perfect time to shut down............a time that would minimize losses during COVID-19.............at a time that would make its potential revival the following year, when COVID would hopefully become less of a factor, a much more likely successful endeavor. Makes you wonder if this was not the plan all along.

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XFL May Have Unintentionally Provided Template For Leagues In COVID-19 World
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
MORE DETAILS AROUND THE XFL BANKRUPTCY SALE
JUNE 5, 2020


As you know, the XFL is currently in the midst of a Bankruptcy trial that seems like it may ultimately lead to the league returning for a 2021 season. We recently obtained the transcripts of the latest hearing to see if there was anything of interest that we could report back to the masses.

Before we jump into everything, I want to thank Jake of the STL BattleCast for assisting in reading through the court transcripts; make sure to drop him a follow.

During the hearing the debtors were in court to discuss the upcoming bid procedure and to finalize the sale process with the ultimate hope of completing a sale by the first week of August to allow the new owners to hit the ground running for a swift return.


In the transcripts we do find some more major details surrounding this case; which touch on the company structure, timelines and auction process. As it stands now, the hope is to have a sale finalized by August 3rd. It’s going to be a tight push, leaving only six months from the time of sale to the relaunch. Although, with the proposed 2021 season structure it’s definitely possible.

So… What did we learn?

Only 9 Employees Remain in the XFL
We already knew that the league had downsized significantly shortly before filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, but we never knew the full scope. Due to these transcripts we’re learning that the league has only nine employees on the payroll at the time.

It does not mention who they are and what their roles are, but it’s safe to say the league is working at minimum capacity at the moment. President Jeffrey Pollack is still with the XFL, leaving eight other staff members; most of which either work in accounting and maintaining the XFL shop.

Emphasis on a 2021 Season
One of the most amazing turn of events this year was the notion that the XFL may somehow return for a 2021 season post-bankruptcy. This also seems to re-confirm that interested parties are saying that going forward in 2021 is absolutely important.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
SIGNS POINT TO XFL RETURNING TO HOUSTON
STEPHAN RACHUK
JUNE 9, 2020NEWS

XFL fans everywhere are patiently waiting on more news in regards to the XFL Bankruptcy Sale. It looks like we’re going to need to wait until early August to find out if the league is sold. As speculation has been running wild as to who some of the interested parties are, we have some more news out of Houston.

Mark Berman of FOX 26 is reporting that the University of Houston has agrees to honor the TDECU Stadium rental agreement that was in place for the Roughnecks. This allows the lease to be apart of the assets the buyer would receive upon acquiring the XFL through bankruptcy.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Going forward fans will make this successful as they did first season. I think a solid owner with deep pockets will be found. I think Oliver Luck was good but others like him can be found. Bring back most of coaching and there will be a larger, better pool of players to select from. I am enthusiastically watching this come together.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Today is the deadline for bids for the XFL to be turned in. It will need to be approved by the networks involved. ESPN has already said that they would not remain if, as has been stipulated, McMahon is no longer involved. We'll know more by days end.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
I didn't read this article but when my son told me about it I researched and his exwife is part owner. They started a production company together years ago and she has produced several of his popular movies including the Jumangi ones. I feel certain that his connections with McMahon Did not hurt him.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
They just need to let this crap die b/c noone is really interested in seeing it....the only way it can survive is if it keeps its current format of playing in the NFL offseason & it is connected to the NFL somehow...like an NFL minor leagues. beyond that, :thumbdown, don't care who's pimping it this time around. If i were a player & really wanted to play, i wouldn't even waste my time on it, I go to a more established league like the CFL or even the arena league.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
They just need to let this crap die b/c noone is really interested in seeing it....the only way it can survive is if it keeps its current format of playing in the NFL offseason & it is connected to the NFL somehow...like an NFL minor leagues. beyond that, :thumbdown, don't care who's pimping it this time around. If i were a player & really wanted to play, i wouldn't even waste my time on it, I go to a more established league like the CFL or even the arena league.
If the XFL had finished their inaugaral season, I believe they had a solid fan base and would've expanded. I was enjoying the season. In due time, the XFL could wind up being a much better option than the CFL or AFL.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
They just need to let this crap die b/c noone is really interested in seeing it....the only way it can survive is if it keeps its current format of playing in the NFL offseason & it is connected to the NFL somehow...like an NFL minor leagues. beyond that, :thumbdown, don't care who's pimping it this time around. If i were a player & really wanted to play, i wouldn't even waste my time on it, I go to a more established league like the CFL or even the arena league.
Just curious, why do you think that everyone else thinks like you do? There were thousands of people at the games and many of us on this message board thought the sports was better than we expected it to be. The profitability remains to be seen Just as it did when some startup called the American Football League debuted.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
Minor league baseball teams have existed and thrived throughout the decades. And that’s without the big TV contracts.

I don’t see why a minor league type football league can’t exist and thrive. It’s not like it’s trying to compete with the NFL.

I think The Rock would do well to try and get the NFL to buy into it being some sort of true minor league. But I also think it will do well without the NFL, as it appeared to do so with this latest version.

I went to a Roughnecks game, did the tailgating and everything. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible. No doubt it helped having the best team in the league, but still. There was an energy out there I hadn’t seen at Texans games in a long time.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
Just curious, why do you think that everyone else thinks like you do? There were thousands of people at the games and many of us on this message board thought the sports was better than we expected it to be. The profitability remains to be seen Just as it did when some startup called the American Football League debuted.
b/c the profitability is all that matters to it’s survival and the fans are the biggest driver in terms of that lol. & if it were as in demand as you’re trying to pump it up as b/c These “thousands” of fans were showing up, then it’s profitability wouldn’t be “remaining to be seen”.

The comets had “thousands” of fans and were winning championships too.. lot of good it did them. These thousands of fans weren’t even filling the lower bowls of the college stadiums they were playing in and this league has gotten canceled twice now. I guess you’re hoping that the 3rd time is a charm with a Hollywood star pimping them huh?

All of that equals to there not being a whole lot of demand for off-brand NFL pro football.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
Minor league baseball thrives b/c most are located in towns far removed from any pro teams, & the ability to see up and coming prospects from your favorite teams. On occasion too you even get to see an actual MLB pro play down there on his way back to the show. Aside from that, fans understand what it is, It’s the same game the MLB is playing...it’s not relying on gimmicky rules and different colored balls and uniforms to sell interest in it.

This XFL/NFL Europe ....or whatever they want to call it these days is mostly full of guys who have washed out or just weren’t quite good enough to play up there. The slightly different rules, little quirks with the mics of players and different footballs are just gimmicks, nothing more.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
I think the Rock brings a ton of legitimacy to the XFL....but he can't follow McMahon's business model of sole ownership. The Rock must cash in on his image and begin selling the established teams to interested investors. I think there would be plenty of interested investors if teams were made available. I'd like to see an investor or investment group bring a franchise to San Antonio.

If the re-introduction is handled properly, the XFL could finally become a true minor/developmental league for the NFL.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
I think the Rock brings a ton of legitimacy to the XFL....but he can't follow McMahon's business model of sole ownership. The Rock must cash in on his image and begin selling the established teams to interested investors. I think there would be plenty of interested investors if teams were made available. I'd like to see an investor or investment group bring a franchise to San Antonio.

If the re-introduction is handled properly, the XFL could finally become a true minor/developmental league for the NFL.
Which is what I said upthread...the only way this thing survives is if they are somehow connected to the NFL..legitimately.

The NFL imo can’t have have a minor league/development league imo though. The long and short of it is the games are too violent, careers are too short/fragile and the risk of career altering injuries is too great for guys to waste ANY amount of time down there “developing”.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Which is what I said upthread...the only way this thing survives is if they are somehow connected to the NFL..legitimately.

The NFL imo can’t have have a minor league/development league imo though. The long and short of it is the games are too violent, careers are too short/fragile and the risk of career altering injuries is too great for guys to waste ANY amount of time down there “developing”.
This type of development would be for those athletes who’d rather spend time developing as a professional athlete versus going to college or those gifted athletes who just aren’t college material, book wise. Of course, those players cut and looking for a way to continue their development should fit fine.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
I think the Rock brings a ton of legitimacy to the XFL....but he can't follow McMahon's business model of sole ownership. The Rock must cash in on his image and begin selling the established teams to interested investors. I think there would be plenty of interested investors if teams were made available. I'd like to see an investor or investment group bring a franchise to San Antonio.

If the re-introduction is handled properly, the XFL could finally become a true minor/developmental league for the NFL.
If the "new" XFL becomes more of a gimmick-ladened pay-for-view "Hollywood-like reality TV" roll out instead of a legitimate NFL-like developmental league that McMahon created his second time around..............I unfortunately see this as only going the way of the first "HE HATE ME" XFL attempt.

******************************************************************************************************

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson wants to tap the XFL’s reality-TV potential
By Thornton McEnery and Josh Kosman
August 7, 2020 | 6:57pm | Updated

The XFL has new owners — and they plan to tackle their investment with Hollywood flair.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and a group of investors have scooped up the floundering football league for just $15 million in a deal that got rubber-stamped by a US bankruptcy judge on Friday.

But instead of rushing to push players back onto the gridiron, Johnson — teaming up with his ex-wife and business manager Dany Garcia and the prolific sports banker Gerry Cardinale — are drawing up plans to remake the XFL into an entertainment powerhouse, sources told The Post.

That means potentially creating reality-TV programming akin to HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which follows an NFL team in the preseason, introducing viewers to players and coaches. Indeed, the XFL is considering a similar show that would span the whole season, according to sources close to the situation.

Likewise, the group aims to capitalize on Johnson’s star power not only as a box-office draw, but also as a former college football player and a WWE wrestler. One possibility, sources said, is to bring the XFL into storylines on Johnson’s current HBO show “Ballers,” in which he plays a retired NFL star turned business manager.

The plans are in the early stages, and insiders said one thing is clear: The XFL is in no hurry to resurrect the XFL’s second-ever attempt at a season, which got scrapped in March after just five weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak. After filing for Chapter 11 in April, the league is now eyeing a 2021 return at the earliest while it “methodically” lines up a comprehensive strategy to rope in more viewers, according to a source.

1596927290512.gif“You’re only going to launch this one more time,” cautioned the insider. “There’s no need to rush it with this bold new plan.”
The relaunch — which will be the third after 2001 and this year — also could mean new broadcasting deals. Disney and Fox have made it clear in recent months that they wanted their contracts with the XFL renegotiated, claiming that without its charismatic founder Vince McMahon, the XFL was a weaker product.

Johnson and Cardinale’s RedBird Partners aren’t going to fight to enforce those contracts and are preparing to market a new media package to all potential buyers, including streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, insiders said.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
I think an 'inside-the-xfl' approach doesn't sound too bad, coupled with mainstream crossover with the Rock on HBO.. could be the kind of branding and connectivity that lesser leagues would covet. None of which necessarily has to compromise the actual on-field approach or integrity. Could be a healthy mix of the second season's down to earth appeal with the first season's attempt at making a more big boy name for itself than just a minor league.

Still can't imagine people giving a long term sh*t about football that isn't the nfl or ncaa, but kudos for taking a swing and giving dudes jobs in the meantime.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
If the "new" XFL becomes more of a gimmick-ladened pay-for-view "Hollywood-like reality TV" roll out instead of a legitimate NFL-like developmental league that McMahon created his second time around..............I unfortunately see this as only going the way of the first "HE HATE ME" XFL attempt.

******************************************************************************************************

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson wants to tap the XFL’s reality-TV potential
By Thornton McEnery and Josh Kosman
August 7, 2020 | 6:57pm | Updated

The XFL has new owners — and they plan to tackle their investment with Hollywood flair.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and a group of investors have scooped up the floundering football league for just $15 million in a deal that got rubber-stamped by a US bankruptcy judge on Friday.

But instead of rushing to push players back onto the gridiron, Johnson — teaming up with his ex-wife and business manager Dany Garcia and the prolific sports banker Gerry Cardinale — are drawing up plans to remake the XFL into an entertainment powerhouse, sources told The Post.

That means potentially creating reality-TV programming akin to HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which follows an NFL team in the preseason, introducing viewers to players and coaches. Indeed, the XFL is considering a similar show that would span the whole season, according to sources close to the situation.

Likewise, the group aims to capitalize on Johnson’s star power not only as a box-office draw, but also as a former college football player and a WWE wrestler. One possibility, sources said, is to bring the XFL into storylines on Johnson’s current HBO show “Ballers,” in which he plays a retired NFL star turned business manager.

The plans are in the early stages, and insiders said one thing is clear: The XFL is in no hurry to resurrect the XFL’s second-ever attempt at a season, which got scrapped in March after just five weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak. After filing for Chapter 11 in April, the league is now eyeing a 2021 return at the earliest while it “methodically” lines up a comprehensive strategy to rope in more viewers, according to a source.

View attachment 6474“You’re only going to launch this one more time,” cautioned the insider. “There’s no need to rush it with this bold new plan.”
The relaunch — which will be the third after 2001 and this year — also could mean new broadcasting deals. Disney and Fox have made it clear in recent months that they wanted their contracts with the XFL renegotiated, claiming that without its charismatic founder Vince McMahon, the XFL was a weaker product.

Johnson and Cardinale’s RedBird Partners aren’t going to fight to enforce those contracts and are preparing to market a new media package to all potential buyers, including streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, insiders said.

THE REST OF THE STORY
I appreciate the story but I'll tune out as fast as I thought I would tune in if Johnson turns this into anything other than a real football product on the field.

To try and add storylines to the game will have destructive results in regards to football fans tuning in and trying to take the game seriously. If this is the show Johnson wants to give his paying customers......good luck with converting the wrestling fans into bonafide football fans. Wrestling fans won't follow the football version of their preferred entertainment b/c the storylines cannot be brought to the field without dictating the outcome.

I had much higher hopes for Johnson's run at the helm of the XFL.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
XFL should consider a fall 2020 season
August 9, 2020, 10:58 AM EDT

College football could soon pull the plug on the fall 2020 season, even though players like Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence want to play. If Lawrence and others want to play this fall, and with the NFL not an option for them due to rules aimed at protecting the NFL’s free farm system, there’s a solution hiding in plain sight.
The XFL.

With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson leading a new ownership group (the sale was approved in bankruptcy court on Friday) and instantly invigorating a brand that flashed in the pan twice in the last 20 years, there’s a rare and unique opportunity for XFL 3.0. Find one city, form a hard bubble, and throw the doors open for high-end college players who won’t be playing college football in the fall of 2020.

They’d be able to play football in a secure environment, they’d be tested regularly, they’d get to play football, and (wait for it) they’d get paid.

If college football goes away for the fall, FOX and ABC/ESPN would rush for the chance to broadcast XFL games featuring major college talent with recognizable names. And with no city affiliations necessary since all games would be played in one place, the players could be allocated to keep current teammates together.

One team could be primarily Alabama players. One could be primarily Clemson players. One would be Ohio State. And so on, until eight rosters (or maybe 12 or 16) are filled, with the best players from all other teams sprinkled in to complete the rosters.
Underclassmen most likely wouldn’t sacrifice their eligibility to play this fall. The XFL would provide a mechanism for giving players destined for the 2021 draft a chance to play this fall, to get paid, and to provide NFL scouts with more game film.

It’s such an obvious solution that it would be a surprise if it didn’t happen — if/when college football stands down for the fall of 2020.

***************************************************************************************************

An interesting idea, but only if the XFL retains the concept of being a legitimate developmental league............not a Hollywood side show. With college football off the books, it would seem more plausible that the XFL would then be able to attract broadcast networks to carry their games. But I have to wonder how feasible it would be to organize all of this and get it up and running by the fall.
 

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
I appreciate the story but I'll tune out as fast as I thought I would tune in if Johnson turns this into anything other than a real football product on the field.

To try and add storylines to the game will have destructive results in regards to football fans tuning in and trying to take the game seriously. If this is the show Johnson wants to give his paying customers......good luck with converting the wrestling fans into bonafide football fans. Wrestling fans won't follow the football version of their preferred entertainment b/c the storylines cannot be brought to the field without dictating the outcome.

I had much higher hopes for Johnson's run at the helm of the XFL.
There really wasn't anything there about adding scripted storylines to the leagues games.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
XFL should consider a fall 2020 season
August 9, 2020, 10:58 AM EDT

College football could soon pull the plug on the fall 2020 season, even though players like Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence want to play. If Lawrence and others want to play this fall, and with the NFL not an option for them due to rules aimed at protecting the NFL’s free farm system, there’s a solution hiding in plain sight.
The XFL.

With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson leading a new ownership group (the sale was approved in bankruptcy court on Friday) and instantly invigorating a brand that flashed in the pan twice in the last 20 years, there’s a rare and unique opportunity for XFL 3.0. Find one city, form a hard bubble, and throw the doors open for high-end college players who won’t be playing college football in the fall of 2020.

They’d be able to play football in a secure environment, they’d be tested regularly, they’d get to play football, and (wait for it) they’d get paid.

If college football goes away for the fall, FOX and ABC/ESPN would rush for the chance to broadcast XFL games featuring major college talent with recognizable names. And with no city affiliations necessary since all games would be played in one place, the players could be allocated to keep current teammates together.

One team could be primarily Alabama players. One could be primarily Clemson players. One would be Ohio State. And so on, until eight rosters (or maybe 12 or 16) are filled, with the best players from all other teams sprinkled in to complete the rosters.
Underclassmen most likely wouldn’t sacrifice their eligibility to play this fall. The XFL would provide a mechanism for giving players destined for the 2021 draft a chance to play this fall, to get paid, and to provide NFL scouts with more game film.

It’s such an obvious solution that it would be a surprise if it didn’t happen — if/when college football stands down for the fall of 2020.

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An interesting idea, but only if the XFL retains the concept of being a legitimate developmental league............not a Hollywood side show. With college football off the books, it would seem more plausible that the XFL would then be able to attract broadcast networks to carry their games. But I have to wonder how feasible it would be to organize all of this and get it up and running by the fall.
This would be a bold move.....and a smart one by Johnson and the XFL. This would essentially legitimize the XFL since the 2021 draft class would be on display for 2020. Teams and coaches are already in place so establishing a neutral location shouldn't be difficult. Team(s) rosters wouldn't be hard to fill from the existing XFL player pool....especially if the 2021 draft eligible players who would like to play a 2020 season are added. Many may like this option instead of sitting dormant for a full season. Great concept if viable.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
The Rock et al bought the XFL for $15 million................I'd say that Rock can make this new venture succeed with little financial concerns of viability if he reconstructs the league the way his recent predecessor did (as a legitimate NFL developmental league)..............The Rock was the high paid actor of 2019.............at $89.4 million!

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Sources: Fox Sports Interested In TV Deal With “The Rock’s” XFL 3.0
  • Since divesting entertainment assets, Fox wants live sports and news.
  • But Fox won’t pay rights fees for XFL reboot, predicts Patrick Crakes.
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Fox Sports reportedly interested in televising new XFL, co-owned by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia
The XFL likely won't get a traditional TV rights deal with any network, however.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
The Rock et al bought the XFL for $15 million................I'd say that Rock can make this new venture succeed with little financial concerns of viability if he reconstructs the league the way his recent predecessor did (as a legitimate NFL developmental league)..............The Rock was the high paid actor of 2019.............at $89.4 million!

************************************************************************************************

Sources: Fox Sports Interested In TV Deal With “The Rock’s” XFL 3.0
  • Since divesting entertainment assets, Fox wants live sports and news.
  • But Fox won’t pay rights fees for XFL reboot, predicts Patrick Crakes.
*****************************************
Fox Sports reportedly interested in televising new XFL, co-owned by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia
You know what could be interesting? Let's say the Rock decides to give those 2021 draft eligible players a 2020 season to play. If these players were to take advantage of said opportunity....wouldn't this now make them professional football players? If so, these players could play a 2020 season, get paid as a professional, and then skip the draft and be eligible to sign with any NFL team willing to pay for their services.

If I was any of the top young QB's, I'd jump all over this opportunity since I could enter 2021 NFL as a FA professional football player and not be subjected to the drafted salary cap. Samething that CFL players enjoy.

This could give the Rock one hell-of-a leverage point in negotiating with the NFL to become a recognized developmental league that agrees to put its players through the draft process. Definitely could change the ameteur status and put the thumb on CFB to share some of the wealth with their athletes.
 

SnakeEyes

Under NRG
I, for one would welcome this.

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“Dozens of bidders” exploring a potential XFL purchase
May 26, 2020, 6:58 PM EDT

Vince McMahon won’t be trying to buy back the XFL. But someone else apparently will.

Daniel Kaplan of TheAthletic.com reports that “dozens of bidders” are reviewing the league’s financial information, with interest in buying the XFL and relaunching it next February.

McMahon himself will not be a bidder; he confirmed this during deposition testimony given last week.

“I don’t know why that’s out there, making me out to be the bad guy, [that] I’m going to buy the XFL back for pennies on the dollar, basically,” McMahon said, via Kaplan. “That helped me move into the direction of I’m not going to be a bidder, not going to have anything to do with it. I do hope that someone will pay a lot of money for it, and I do hope that it will survive.”

In a court filing, McMahon created the impression that this will indeed happen.

“Based on preliminary feedback, there is a robust market for the [XFL]’s assets, including a number of potentially interested private equity firms and other strategic and financial sponsors,” McMahon said, via his lawyers.

With a growing thirst for live sports and the possibility that legalized sports wagering will explode in the aftermath of the pandemic, the XFL could indeed survive — and perhaps thrive.
The Rock now owns part of the XFL...it will be returning in some form. He and another person bought it for pennies. He is a die-hard football guy, so give it a year and see what happens
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
You know what could be interesting? Let's say the Rock decides to give those 2021 draft eligible players a 2020 season to play. If these players were to take advantage of said opportunity....wouldn't this now make them professional football players? If so, these players could play a 2020 season, get paid as a professional, and then skip the draft and be eligible to sign with any NFL team willing to pay for their services.

If I was any of the top young QB's, I'd jump all over this opportunity since I could enter 2021 NFL as a FA professional football player and not be subjected to the drafted salary cap. Samething that CFL players enjoy.

This could give the Rock one hell-of-a leverage point in negotiating with the NFL to become a recognized developmental league that agrees to put its players through the draft process. Definitely could change the ameteur status and put the thumb on CFB to share some of the wealth with their athletes.
I'm not sure it works that way but it is definitely an interesting thought. Especially for the quarterbacks they can pick where they want to go
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Most of those XFL players will not make it to NFL but I could see several leaving XFL after some years to have career in wrestling. I'm not thinking XFL hopes to draw wrestling fans but definitely belief the wrestling organizations hope to draw football fans to wrestling. Some may even cross over into MMA.

I also could see guys like Trevor Lawrence playing a year in XFL and doing guest appearances in WWE. Good cash that does not come out of Johnson's pocket. Also acting roles with his ex-wife's production company. You don't think that former Houston quarterback PJ Walker would not have wanted to Act with Rock in one of his action movies?
 
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